Tube cleaner



pril 18, 1939. J. P. RQDGERS TUBE CLEANER Filed Dec. 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l NGE April 1s, 1939. J. P. RODGERS 2,155,205

' TUBE CLEANER A Filed Dec. 15, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR JAMES P. R 0 DG ERS Patented Apr. 1s, 1939 UNITED 'STATES PATENTJoFFicE The Roto Company, tion of New Jersey vom" Application December 13., 1935, Serial No. 54,202

13 Claims. (CL 15-104.12)

The invention relates to tube cleaners for clean- The invention to be described herein is particularly suitedzfor cleaning the tubes of pasteurizers for milk in which a deposit from the milk is left which is relatively soft and gummy.

Pasteurizer tubes may be of stainless steell having a high polish on the inside surface, or may be tubes of any suitable material which are nickel plated, or may be copper tubes which are tin lined. These tubes, of course, must be thoroughly and frequently cleaned in order to preserve the purity of the next batch of milk which passes through the pasteurizer, but in cleaning these tubes, the inner surfaces must not be scratched or marred in any way. The tubes or pipes are also for controlling the flow of water where prof j' vision is made with the cleaner for the ow of vwater during the operation of the cleaner.

It is an object of the invention to construct a tube cleaner in which a stream of water or other ,liquid is provided in frontV of the air motor, which stream of water or liquid is provided in a new and novel manner.

Another object of the invention is to vprovide a tube cleaner particularly adapted for pasteurizers in which it is important that in no event should the inner surface of the tube be marred or scarred in any way, and in which a ilexible coupling is used with a. cleaning tool in conjunction with the cleaner which will not'n'elease a metallic part in case of wear or breakage 'of the m flexible coupling.

Another object of .the invention is to provide a tube cleaner in conjunction with a valve mechanism in which it is impossible for the valve to be moved to another4 position so long as the valve 4" is in theA tube. In the particular construction herein, a valve mechanism is retained in open position so that the source of power cannot be turned oi and if water or other liquid is alsoswirling effect in order toaugment its flushing and cleaning action. f

Other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description, taken in connection with -the accompanying drawings 6 showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough the motor. water'spraying and valve mechanism with the cleaning tool detached from the motor. l0

Figure 2 is a view showing the cleaning tool particularly adapted to be attached to the end of the motor of Figure 1 with a ilexible coupling provided between the tool andthe motor. 'I'he flexible coupling illustrated is particularly apll plicable for use with pasteurizers and like tubular apparatus and is shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a cross section through the valve means taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, excepting that the ,valve means is shown in closed position. I The valve means is also shown in relation with a tube for which-this valve means and cleaner are adapted to be used, the tube being shown in dot and dash lines. Y

Figure 4 is a cross section through the motor, Il taken on line 4 4 of Figure 1, and shows the water passage leading to the wateroutlets and also the water outlets. Y

Figure 5 is a cross section through the motor, taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1, and shows the ex- 30 haust for the motor and the water outlets.

Figure 6 is a dan .view of the valve means disconnected from the motor with the valves in open position as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 'I is a plan view, partially in section, le' through the water outlet ports as taken on line 1--1 of-Figure 4 along an arcuate path through the Awater outlets in order to show their angular direction.

.The invention to be describedherein utilizes 40 an air motor for driving the cleaning tool. Any type of iluid motor is. contemplated in connection with the combination thereof with a valve mechanism which will be described. The motor preferred in connection with the water or liquid spraying feature is a compressible iluid motor as will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

The particular air or steam motor illustrated is provided with a shaft I0 in which shaft there is a slot Il to receive a pistonV or power blade I 2 5 l which is freely slidable i`n the slot. One end of the shaft I0 is rotatably retained in a bearing in the front of an air cylinder I3. 'I'he cylinder i3 is provided with a bore i4 which is eccentric with respect tothe shaft ill, and the periphery of the shaft contacts with the wall of this bore I4, but

' contacts so as to enable it to rotate freely. The

which are received by the internal threads 2|` on the cylinder. A pin 26 in the cylinder and end cap is used to align the inlet ports therein. The sleeve I9 carries a bore 22 for the passage of air to the cylinder of the air motor, which air passes through a port 23 in the end cap I1 and then through a port 24 into the bore of the cylinder I3. An exhaust port 25 is provided from the front of the cylinder an'd motor. The sleeve I9 is designed with the bore 22 large enough at the end which engages the end cap Il so that, when the end cap is clamped between the sleeve and the cylinder, the bore will have fluid connection with the port 24 regardless of in what rotativel position of the abutting sleeve such clamping action is obtained. The sleeve I9 also has a cylindrical outer periphery at one end, excepting for a pair of flats for a wrench, and a lat end the purpose of which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The air motor which has been described is known in its fundamental construction and cperation. Changes have been made in details of the motor construction to particularly adapt it for the service to be described herein. These changes do not alter the principle or operation of the motor per se, but relate to details dictated by the' new features added to the motor and dictated by the valve mechanism for controlling both the power fluid and the water. It is believed, for this reason, that a detailed description of the operation of this motor need not be given. It is to be understood also that any other type of compressible fluid or airmotor is contemplated.

The front end of the cylinder I3 is reduced in` diameter in order to form a land or shoulder 30. An outer sleeveor shell 3| has a flange 32 at the front end thereof which is received on the land 30, in order to support the front end of the shell 3| and hold the same spaced from the outer circumference of the cylinder I3. At least one outlet and prefer ably a plurality of outlets 33 is provided in the iiange at the front face or end of the motor which outlets communicate or connect with the space 34. The outlets 35 preferably are directedat an angle, as shown in Figure 7, and are also preferably directed at an angle in the direction of rotation of the air motor. The outlets are so placed that they lare in the front face of the motor between the outer periphery of the motor and the shaft. In the broader aspect of the invention any form of outlet or outlets 35 is contemplated, as wellas any construction providing a fluid connection or passage with the outlet or outlets.

The passage 34 and outlets 35 are designed to to be understood that the plug may be a separate part if desired. yThe plug has a countersink 40 which receives the cylindrical end of the abutting sleeve I9 to hold the rear end of the shell 3| in proper spaced relation with respect to the cylinder I3 of the air motor. The bottom face 4| of the countersink of the plug 39 abuts against the end of the nut I9 so that the air motor is clamped between the flange 32 on the front end of the shell .3| and the face 4| of the plug.

The construction described above provides a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal between the abutting sleeve I9 and the plug 39 by the abutting face 4I of the plug 39 engaging the end face of the abutting sleeve I9. In this connection, it will also be observed that in use the air pressure in the bore 22 of the sleeve I9 is generally higher than the water pressure and consequently this air pressure would probably keep the water out of the air motor, even if the seal were not tight. The water seal between the abutting sleeve I9 and the plug 39 is further aided by the contact of the cylindrical surface of the countersink 49 and the outer circumferencelof the cylindrical portion of the sleeve I9. Excepting for relativelysmall ats on this circumference of the sleeve I9, in order to screw the sleeve into the cylinder |3,'the circumference of the abutting sleeve I9 and of lthe countersink 40 is relatively snug, although free relative rotation between these two parts is provided.

The shoulder 30 on the front of the air motor and the ange 32 on the shell 3| engage each other to form a water-tight or substantially valve means and it connects with an angular air passage 41 which brings the outlet for this-air passage to the central axis of the valve means so that it opens into the bore 22 of the nut I9.

A water passage 52 is also provided preferably by drilling a holelongitudinally through the valve means, and the end of this water passage has anv angular Water passage 53 carrying the passage to the cuter periphery of the plug 39 or the valve means since, in the illustrated embodiment, the valve means and plug are shown as integral. A second longitudinal water passage 54 along the outer periphery of the plug 39 connects this passage with the passage or space 34 around the periphery of the air motor and between the latter and the inner wall of the casing lor shell 3|. It will be observed that this water passage 54 will connect with the water space or passage 34, irrespective of Where the'passage 34 stops in (itl carries a similar soft ring 1l'.

to a Segond nipple 80. -The nipple 80 carriesA -as shown particularly in Figure 6.

rotation as the plug is threadedly tightened upon the air motor.

The valve means preferably uses a single taper plug valve 51 for controlling both the water and the air. The taper of the plug holds the same in position in one direction and a washer 58 secured at the small end of the taper plug, such as by peening over a reduced part of the end of the plug, holds the same from being removed in the other direction. The plug is provided with an air passage 59 and a water passage 60. By rotation of the plug, the air and water maybe cut of from the motor.

Although a single plug 51 is preferably provided to simultaneously control both the air and the water, it will be understood that separately controlled valves of any type may be provided, as desired. The air passage 46 is adapted to be connected to a sourcewf air pressure through any suitable connection, that shown utilizing a nipple 6I secured to an air hose 62. Similarly, the water passage 52 is connectedwith any suitable source of water supply, preferably by means of a nipple 63 which is secured to a water hose 64. The nipples Sl and 63 arescrew threaded into the end of the valve means 45.

A handle 68 is secured 4to the end of the plug valve 51 in order to rotate the same to open and close theI valve means for the flow of air and water to the motor. This handle is received into a recess 69 in the periphery of the valve means 45. The handle 68 is made long enough so that in closed position at least one end of thehandle extends beyond the outer periphery of the valve means and so that the end of the handle will engage the tube in which the motor and the valve are inserted. By this construction the motor and valve means cannot be. inserted into a tube-with the valve means in closed position. In the preferred construction also the two ends of the handle 68 project far enough outwardly in either .direction from the valve 51 so that both ends will `engage the tube and prevent the motor and valve from being inserted into the tube so long as the valves are in closed position. The handle 58 requires manual movement of the valves to open position to swing the handle into longitudinal alignment or approximate alignment with the motor and valve, in which position the handle is clear of the tube and can be inserted thereinto Since the valve means 45 is directly connected with the motor, the rear end of the valve means carries a soft ring 10 .which is preferably of some soft metal which will not score the tube. The front end of the motor or the shelLor casing over the motor It has been mentioned hereinbefore that the air motor drives a cleaning tool. This cleaning tool preferably is a wire brush 15 of any suitable kind. Other forms of cleaning tools'may be driven bythe tube cleaner described herein, but for the tubes of pasteurizers a brush is more desirable. This brush carries a stud 16 having screw threads 11 which are received into a nipple 18. The nipple is sgured to a short lengthv of rubber hose 19, jthe other end of the hosbeing secured screw threads 8| which l receive the threads I5 on the end of the air motor shaft I0. The cleaning brush 15 therefore is rotated by the air motor.

The wire brush '|5has a diameter less than the inside diameter ofthe tube and in order that the wire brush may reach the entire inner circumference of a tube being cleaned. it is connected with the shaft of the air motor through a flexible connection or coupling. This flexible connection, in the broader aspect of the invention, may be any suitable flexible coupling. The rubber hose connection, however, is preferredrwhen the cleaner is used for pasteurizers since a flexible connection of a mechanical type, such as a universal joint, provides rivets and other metallic' parts which may break or wear loose and would tend to score l the tube. In the construction shown herein, where the rubber hose 19 is used, breakage of the flexible connection will produce no loose metallic parts which would tend to score the tube. It will be observed, therefore, that a construction has been provided giving the maximum degree of safety against scoring of the tube by the cleaner. Although the valve described herein is particularly suited for use with a tube cleaner, it is to be understood that the valve per se is also a part of the invention, irrespective of in what connection it is used, and irrespective of to what/application it maybe put. For instance, in the particular application to which this valve is put in this case, it is desirable that both the air and the water be flowing to the air motor before the valve' means is inserted into a tube and before Athe air motor can be inserted very far. It is for this reason that both the air and the water valves are open when the handle is in a position so that the valve means may be inserted into the tube. Applications of the valve means per se are contemplatedy in which the reverse of this application may be desirable. In other words, in the broader aspect of the invention it is contemplated that the valve means can be inserted into a tube only when the valve means is in one position and is prevented from being inserted into the tube by the handle means when the valve means is in another position.

Various modifications will c ccur to those skilled in the art in the configuration, composition and disposition of the component elements going to or more liquid outlets in a front face of the fluid motor, and a liquid passage connected with the outlets passing between the cylinder bore and the outer periphery of the motor tothe rear of the fluid motor which passage is adapted to be connected with a liquid supply.

2. A tube cleaner comprising a compressible fluid driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure, a shaft projecting from the front of the motor to drive a tool, one or more liquid outlets in the front face of the uid motor between the outer diameter thereof and the projecting shaft, the outlets being directed soas to project liquid therefrom in the general direction of the tool, the outlets also being directed at an angle so that the liquid is projectedat an angle to the face of the motor, and a passage connected with the outlets and passing to the rear ofthe fluid motor which passage is adapted to be connected with a liquid supply.

fluid driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure and to drive a tool, a plurality of liquid outlets at the front of the fluid motor, and a sleeve around the iluid motor and spaced therefrom to form a liquid passage passing to the rear of the fluid motor which passage is adapted to be connected with a liquid supply, the outlets being connected with the liquid passage.

4. A tube cleaner comprising a compressible fluid driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure and to rotate a tool. one or more liquid outlets at the front of the uid motor and directed outwardly so that the point in the general direction of the cleaning tool and at an angle to the axis of the motor and in' or more liquid outlets in the'front face of thev fluid motor and pointed in a general direction towards the tool and at an angle to the axis of the motor so that the liquid is projected in the general-direction of rotation ofv the tool, and a liquid passage connected with the outlet or outlets passing to the rear of the uid motor which passage isadapted to be connected with a liquid supply.

6. A tube cleaner adapted to be inserted in a tube to be cleaned comprising an air driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of air pressure and to drive a cleaning tool, a water outlet at the front of the air motor, a water passage connected with thewater outlet passing to the rear of the air motor which passage is adapted to be connected with a watersupply, valve means secured to an following behind the motor into a tube being cleaned and having a to be inserted therein, said handle means also preventing movement of the valve means so long as the valve means and handle means are in a tube because outward movement of the valve operating means is prevented by the tube wall.

7. A tube cleaner of the type insertable within a tubecomprising a tluid driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure and to drive a'cleaning means, valve means secured to and following behind the motor and having a plurality of positions to control the fluid thereto, and a valve operating means connected with the valve means to move the same from one position to another, the valve operating means having one position in which the valve means and the operating means are insertable within a tube and having at least one outward position in which the valve means and the operating means are prevented from being inserted in the tube be. cause the latter means would engage the end of the tube if the cleaner were attempted to be pushed thereinto, said valve operating means also preventing movement of the valve means so long as the valve means and the valve operating means are in a tube because outward movement of the valve operating means is prevented by the tube wall.

8. A tube cleaner of the type which is inserted in a tube comprising a fluid driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure and to drive a cleaning tool, valve means secured to and following behind the motor to control the uid thereto, and a handle connected with the valve means to open and close the same and being rotatable outwardly when moving the valve means from one of its positions to the other,

the handle having a length so that it extends in having a width which enables the valve means tov be inserted in the tube when the handle is rotated to an axial position.

9. A tube cleaner for pasteurizers and the like comprising an air driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of air pressure, a cleaning oool having a coupling connecting the cleaning tool with the air motor, a Water outlet at the front of the air motor, a water passage connected with the water outlet passing to the rear of the air motor which passage is adapted to be connected with a water supply, valve means secured to and following behind the motor to control the air and the water, and handle means connected with the valve means to open and close the same and being movable outwardly when moving the valve means from open position to closed position so that it engages the tube and thereby prevents movement of the valvemeans to closed position so long as the handle means is in a tube.

10. A tube cleaner for pasteurizers and the like comprising a uid driven motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure, a cleaning tool having a coupling connecting the cleaning tool with the iluidmotor, a liquid outlet at the front of the uid driven motor, valve means secured to and following behind the motor to control the fluid thereto, a liquid passage connecting the outlet with the valve means, and handle means connected with the valve means to open and close the same and being movable outwardly when moving the valve means from open position to closed position so that it engages the tube and thereby prevents the valve means from being in closed position so long as the handle means is in a tube.

11. A tube cleaner comprising a compressible fluid motor adapted to be connected with a source of air pressure and to rotate a cleaning tool including a cylinder and an end cap providing a seal for the end of the cylinder, a fluid port in the end cap leading to the cylinder, and an abutting sleeve engaging \the end cap, the abutting sleeve having a central`\` bore connecting with the -fluid port in the end cap; a plurality of water outlets at the end of the uid motor remote `from the end cap; a shell around the fluid motor and spaced therefrom to form a water passage passing'to the end of the fluid motor adjacent the end cap which passage is adapted to be connected with a water supply, -the water outlets being connected with the water passage; a shoulder on the front end of the shell engaging the cylinder; and a plug threaded upon the rear" end of the shell and engaging the abutting sleeve to clamp the shell on the fluid motor and seal the bore in the end cap from the water passage including a iluid passage through the plug connecting with the bore in the abutting sleeve, and a water passage through the plug connecting with the water passage within the shell.

12. A tube cleaner comprising a compressible fluid motor adapted to be connected with a source of fluid pressure and to rotate a cleaning tool including a cylinder and an end cap providing a seal for the end of the cylinder, a' uid port in the end cap leading to the cylinder, and an abutting sleeve engaging the end cap, the

abutting sleeve having a central bore connecting with the fluid port in the end cap in all positions; a'shell around the iiuid motor and spaced therefrom to form a water passage passing to the end of the fluid motor adjacentthe end cap 'which passage is adapted to be connected with a water supply including a ange on the front end of the shell engaging the end of the cylinder remote from .the end cap, and a plurality of water outlets through the nange; the water outlets being connected with the water passage; and a plug threaded upon the end of the shell adjacent the end cap and engaging the abutting sleeve to clamp the shell on the fluid motor and seal the bore in the end cap from the water passage, the plug having iiuid passages including a iluid passage inthe plug connecting with the 4bore in the abutting sleeve, and a water passage in the plug connecting with the water passage within the shell.

13. A tube cleaner comprising a-compressible iluid motorl adapted to be connected with a source of air'pressure and to rotate a cleaning tool including a cylinder, a shaft, an end cap providing al bearing i'or the rear end of the shaft and a seal for the end of the cylinder, a port through the end cap to the cylinder, and a sleeve engaging the end cap to hold it in place, the sleeve having a central bore connecting with the port in the end cap in all positions; a plurality of water outlets at the front of the iluid motor; a shell around the fluid motor and spaced therefrom to form a water passage passing to the rear of the iluid motor which passage is adapted to be connected with a water supply, the water outlets being connected with the water passage; and

plug means engaging the end of the sleeve on v the motor and screw threaded to the shell to hold the shell upon the motor, the plug means including a huid passage and a water passage connecting respectively with the central bore in the sleeve and with the water passage within the shell. JAMES P. RDDGERS. 

